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Ohio farmers treat their animals well

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Sunday August 4, 2013 6:54 AM

Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed column in Tuesday’s
Dispatch, “Growing numbers concerned about how we treat animals,” was long on
sensationalism and short on facts, and I’m disappointed
The Dispatch would let this negative positioning of livestock farming stand
unchallenged.

Kristof and the farmers I represent agree on one essential point: Animals never should be
tortured or abused. Period. And he’s right that our food is among the most affordable in the world,
thanks in large part to the dedication of our farmers.

That’s where the agreement ends. Ohio’s livestock and poultry farmers have an extraordinary
commitment to the well-being of the animals we raise for food. So much so that in 2009, the farm
community advocated for, and the public overwhelmingly supported, the passage of Issue 2 to create
the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. The board establishes comprehensive standards for
livestock and poultry care in Ohio, standards farmers support because it is in the best interest of
our animals.

It is true that Ohio has large farms and small farms, but regardless of size, our commitment is
to provide the best care for our animals at all times. We have more than 73,000 farms in Ohio and
more than 99 percent are owned by families and, in most cases, have been for generations.

Caring for our animals is what Ohio’s livestock and poultry farmers do every day. As food
producers, it’s our responsibility and our obligation.